Category: June 2008 (II)

Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow based on your understanding of the passage: Target areas in community relations are to be stated and they need considerable refinement. The object is to set reasonable goals that can be reasonably met. Failure to spell out specific goals kills some community relations programmes before they get started. In attacking problems on too broad a front, some companies pour money, time and talent down bottomless holes. Lump all of the community’s concerns under one heading “Urban crisis” and you create at once a single, gargantuan problem and perfect excuse for avoiding it. Sound community relations programmes should give company and community tangible results, not simply warm feelings in “doing good” by simply doing something. Certainly such programmes should avoid actions that seem patronizing. A telecommunications company had two primary target areas on which it concentrated and in which it felt it had years of experience. The areas are education and employment. The reason for them were simple: as the second largest employer in the country, the company was in constant need of new employees with adequate educational levels and skills. These two areas, even before being reduced to specifies, suggest the corporate potential to the telephone company. PR programmes in there areas may mean more and better qualified employees for the company. Certainly they can mean more wage earners with better, higher-paying jobs as potential customers for the company’s service. The payoff to communities are self evident ...... not to mention the values to individualsdirectly affected. But what was needed by the community in education and employment that company could provide? To find the answer the company had to not only select among apparent and hidden community needs, but to relate those to the corporate resources available for programmes. There resources-common to all business - are people (time and talent), equipment, facilities, and money (aside from the fiscal value of the other three). The company had been providing educational aids for use at all levels of both public and private school systems. School relations people in the company continued to seek advice from, and help for, teachers in classroom needs. The company increasingly recognized. The need to relate the learning process to life as the students will live it, to embed through student experience the practical application of learning. To that end it works with educators on economic education presentations for use in high school curriculum. Q1. In the example given above the PR officials of the company sought help from the teachers about: (A) Student activities (B) School finances (C) Requirements in the class room (D) Telephone facilities in the school Correct Ans: (C) Explanation: PR officials from the telecommunications company actively engaged with teachers to understand classroom requirements. Instead of imposing predetermined solutions, they sought direct input from educators to identify real challenges students and teachers faced. By doing so, they ensured their initiatives aligned with actual needs, making their contributions meaningful and impactful. Furthermore, this collaborative approach strengthened the relationship between the company and the education sector. As a result, their PR efforts not only benefited schools but also enhanced the company’s reputation as a socially responsible entity. Q2. Based upon the above passage what is not included in the list of corporate resources: (A) Past experience of the target group (B) Talent of the workers (C) Infrastructure available (D) Budget available Correct Ans: (A) Explanation: The passage highlights four key corporate resources: people (time and talent), equipment, facilities, and money. These resources help businesses implement effective community relations programs. However, the past experience of the target group is not considered a corporate resource. While understanding past experiences is valuable, it does not fall under the company's internal resources. Instead, companies analyze community needs and align them with their available resources. Therefore, corporate resources must be practical and contribute directly to the execution of their programs. Q3. Community relations can result in benefitting the company by: (A) Receiving more charity (B) Engaging better manpower (C) Exploiting the target audience (D) Reducing dependence upon the society Correct Ans: (B) Explanation: When companies invest in community relations, they create a positive impact on society while securing long-term benefits for themselves. In the given example, the telecommunications company focused on education and employment. By improving educational standards, they ensured a steady flow of skilled workers. This initiative not only helped the company hire well-qualified employees but also contributed to economic growth. Furthermore, by supporting the community, the company built goodwill and strengthened its brand image. Consequently, a well-planned community relations strategy became a win-win situation for both the company and the society. Q4. Being the second largest employer in the country the company mentioned in the above example prioritised two areas. There were: (A) Schools and Colleges (B) Teachers and Students (C) Education and Employment (D) Education and Skills Correct Ans: (C) Explanation: As a leading employer, the telecommunications company needed a continuous supply of skilled professionals. Recognizing this, they prioritized education and employment in their community relations programs. By investing in education, they aimed to prepare students for future job opportunities. Additionally, their employment initiatives ensured better career prospects for individuals while securing a skilled workforce for themselves. This strategic approach benefited both the company and society, demonstrating the importance of aligning corporate objectives with social responsibility. Ultimately, focusing on these two areas created long-term sustainability for the business and the community. Q5. What kind of efforts in community relations are likely to be wasted: (A) Efforts of a team of persons derived from various departments (B) Inability to list and refine specific goals (C) Constant evaluation (D) Midterm intervention Correct Ans: (B) Explanation: A well-structured community relations program requires clear, achievable goals. Companies that fail to define specific objectives often waste valuable resources. Without clear direction, their efforts become scattered, leading to ineffective programs with little impact. The passage emphasizes how vague goals, such as labeling everything under an "urban crisis," can dilute focus and hinder meaningful action. Instead, businesses must carefully identify community needs and align them with their available resources. By refining their goals, they can ensure that their initiatives deliver measurable and sustainable results, benefiting both the company and society.

Category: June 2008 (II)

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